Cole welcomes the pressure of Ballack's arrival

Joe Cole has insisted he will relish the challenge provided by new Chelsea signing Michael Ballack as he closes in on signing a new long-term contract.

Cole, currently preparing with England for the World Cup in Portugal, is aware
midfield competition will be further intensified following Ballack's arrival at
Stamford Bridge.

But the former West Ham player will not shy away from the battle for places
and believes Ballack has the kind of star quality needed to help the Blues win
the Champions League.

Cole said: 'These are exciting times for Chelsea. Michael Ballack is going to
come into the side and give us something different and more competition for
places which is great.

'We have won the Premier League two years in a row which is a great
achievement, We have that in the bank and we have celebrated it.

'But next year we want to improve on that and we want to win maybe another
cup or certainly the Champions League which is a big target for us.

'To do that we have to sign players like Michael Ballack with experience and
at the peak of his career.

'He is a great player and I can learn from him and become even better.'

Cole added: 'There will be seven, eight, nine midfielders now at the club
which is great. Since I've been at Chelsea I've seen players come and go and
world class players sign for us.

'There is competition, which keeps you sharp and hungry, and the only thing
you can do is keep working and fighting for your place and it's going to make us
even better.

'A lot of midfield players have been signed and some of them have gone but
I'm still there and playing fairly regularly.

'Since I signed three years ago, players like Juan Veron, Geremi, Emmanuel
Petit, Jesper Gronkjaer, Tiago, Arjen Robben, Michael Essien, Damien Duff and
Maniche have been in the midfield at one time or another.

'It has been said, at various times, that I could find it a struggle to get
in the team. But I relish the challenge, though, rather than shy away from
it.'

Cole is desperate to play a leading role in Germany for Sven-Goran Eriksson
after being restricted to one substitute's appearance in a major tournament for
his country during the 2002 World Cup.

He said: 'I've been involved in two big tournaments now, the 2002 World Cup
and Euro 2004 and in total I've played ten minutes football - as a substitute
against Sweden in Japan.

'Of course, it was great experience both times and invaluable to me but I
have to admit I felt like a spare part at times and that particularly was the
case in Portugal.

'It's marvellous to be in any England squad but at the end of the day I want
to play. I can look back now at those tournaments and take plenty from both
experiences.

'I definitely feel more confident now, more established. I've just come off a
good season at Chelsea and I'm ready for this World Cup.'

Cole, who has 12 months remaining of his current four-year deal, is keen to
secure his long-term future at Chelsea before the World Cup to avoid any
distractions.

He said: 'There is no way I want to leave Chelsea. The contract talks are
going well. I've talked to Peter Kenyon (chief executive) and I believe we want
the same things.

'It's not about money, that part of the contract is done, but there are still
a few things to be sorted out.

'We're not far away though and I'm hoping we can get everything sorted out
before the World Cup so there are no distractions before what is one of the most
important times in my career so far.'